British actor and dancer Jonny Labey is best known for his portrayal of Paul Coker in the long-running BBC soap EastEnders. His character appeared in 106 episodes between 2015 and 2016 and was the grandson of Les and Pam Coker, who fell in love with Ben Mitchell and later died in an off-screen homophobic attack. Labey received positive reviews from the audience, with one critic calling it a “defining” performance due to the series’ exploration of same-sex partnership. His onscreen relationship was long-listed for Best Affair at the Inside Soap Awards.
Following the series, Labey took on the leading role of Rupert Brooke in Arsalan Sattari Productions’ Verge of Strife before appearing as a judge on the 2017 CBBC talent show, Taking the Next Step. Taking first place in the first season of the UK TV series Dance Dance Dance along with partner Chrissy Brooke, he made his pantomime debut in the Hull New Theatre’s production of Peter Pan that same year. Labey has a degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, and has lent his talents to several stage shows and productions, including In The Heights and West End’s White Christmas Ensemble. The actor has also made forays into cinema, appearing in the 2015 drama Soft Lad.
Labey’s recently completed six-month run as Scott Hastings in the West End production Strictly Ballroom. He also hosts an online talk series focused on diabetes on his personal YouTube Channel, entitled Know Your Type.
